Anyone who has ever hit the snooze button on their iPhone (or any alarm clock, for that matter) has probably experienced that familiar irritation: your alarm goes off, you hit snooze, and then—wait for it—nine minutes later, it goes off again. Why not ten minutes, or even a nice round number like five? Why nine? It’s a mystery that has puzzled many, and for some, it’s downright maddening. It’s not just the inconvenience of losing that one extra minute of sleep, but the oddity of it all—nine minutes? Why not 10 or any other time interval that feels more reasonable? If you’re anything like me, the frustration is real, and you can’t help but wonder what in the world is going on. Is it a glitch in the matrix, or is there a deeper, more historical reason for this strange setting?

As the world moves forward with increasingly advanced technology, we still find ourselves stuck with this annoying relic from the past. While other parts of the smartphone and tech industries have evolved rapidly, the snooze button has stubbornly stayed the same. It’s an interesting quirk that has kept us all talking about alarm clocks in the 21st century, even though we now have more sophisticated ways of waking up. So, what’s the deal with the nine-minute snooze? Let’s dive into the history and science behind it to understand why we’ve been left with this frustrating time limit.

The Unlikely History Behind the Nine-Minute Snooze

Believe it or not, the answer to this long-standing question goes way back in time, and it all has to do with the mechanics of analogue clocks. Back in the day, clocks and watches weren’t as precise or easily adjustable as the digital devices we use today. The gears that powered these timepieces had a big role to play in determining how snooze functions worked.

Why does your alarm go off nine minutes after being snoozed? (Getty Stock Image)

A Reddit user, Phillip Remaker, posed this very question on Quora, a platform where people ask and answer questions, and his query sparked a wide variety of responses. One theory that surfaced involved the mechanical constraints of early alarm clocks. These clocks, which relied on rolling tumblers to display the time, could only be set to snooze for a very limited period—usually just nine minutes—because of the way the gears meshed.

The dials of these older clocks couldn’t handle a full ten-minute snooze without needing complex adjustments that weren’t practical at the time. As a result, nine minutes became the default snooze duration. Even though digital clocks have long since replaced these mechanical devices, the tradition stuck, and now it’s something we just accept—even though it drives us crazy.

“I always thought there was something weird about that nine-minute thing. Now I get it. And I still think it’s annoying!” — @johnny_wakeup on Twitter

Why Apple and Other Smartphone Brands Keep the Nine-Minute Standard

Despite the fact that today’s digital alarm clocks and smartphones don’t rely on gears or tumblers, the nine-minute snooze has persisted. Why? Because it’s become somewhat of a nostalgic standard in the alarm clock industry. According to users on Quora and explanations from tech enthusiasts, even though digital devices like iPhones have the ability to set any snooze time, they continue to adhere to this outdated nine-minute cycle.

One commenter pointed out that, when digital clocks came onto the scene, they simply inherited the nine-minute snooze from their mechanical predecessors. Although modern alarm clocks could easily be designed to snooze for any desired amount of time, manufacturers, like Apple, didn’t feel the need to change it. After all, it’s what we’ve come to expect.

One explanation from a YouTube channel called Apple Explained reiterated this theory: Early alarm clock makers had a technical problem with lining up the gears for a ten-minute snooze. The teeth of the gears didn’t align properly, making it difficult to program a full ten-minute snooze. Instead, they settled on the nine-minute interval, and that pattern has persisted to this day.

“Now that I know this, it almost makes me feel nostalgic for those old-school clocks. But yeah, still annoying.” — @techgeek123 on Twitter

Check out the full explanation from Apple Explained on their YouTube channel.

How Modern Technology Allows for Customizable Snooze Durations

While many of us grumble about the nine-minute snooze, it’s important to note that with the rise of smartphones and digital alarm clock apps, you are no longer limited to the traditional snooze time. In fact, most modern alarm clock apps allow users to set the snooze interval to any duration they prefer, whether it’s five, ten, or even 15 minutes. The technology now exists for more flexibility.

You can easily download a third-party alarm app on your smartphone that allows you to customize your snooze duration, so you never have to suffer through another nine-minute cycle again. Apps like Alarmy and Sleep Cycle provide customizable snooze intervals, among other features, giving you more control over your wake-up experience.

“I used to hit snooze so many times until I switched to an app that lets me set custom snooze times. Best decision ever!” — @lucy_doe on Instagram
Download Alarmy here and Sleep Cycle here.

How to Avoid the Snooze Button Trap

Even though the nine-minute snooze is seemingly ingrained in our daily routines, it’s worth considering if hitting the snooze button is really benefiting you. If you find yourself repeatedly going back to sleep and still feeling groggy, you might be doing more harm than good. Hitting snooze can interrupt your sleep cycle, leaving you feeling even more tired when you finally get up.

If you’re someone who struggles with getting up in the morning, it may be time to work on your circadian rhythm—the natural internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. By sticking to a consistent sleep schedule and avoiding the temptation of the snooze button, your body can gradually train itself to wake up more naturally at the right time.

It's all down to history (Getty Stock Image) — It’s all down to history (Getty Stock Image)

Plus, if you’re not into customizing your alarm app, you can always place your phone across the room, forcing you to physically get out of bed to turn it off, which can be a great way to avoid the urge to snooze.

“I’ve found that placing my phone on the other side of the room works wonders. No snooze button, no excuses!” — @morningsuccess on Twitter

Conclusion: Nine Minutes of Frustration or a Quirky Tradition?

Whether it’s a quirky relic of the past or a case of sticking with tradition, the nine-minute snooze on your iPhone alarm is here to stay—for now. While it’s easy to get frustrated by that extra minute (especially when you’re just trying to catch a little more sleep), understanding its origins might make you feel a bit more forgiving. After all, this time-honored practice is part of alarm clock history.

But if it really bothers you, don’t despair! You have plenty of options, from using apps with customizable snooze durations to adjusting your daily routine and training your body to wake up naturally. Ultimately, the power to control your wake-up time is in your hands—whether you prefer a nine-minute snooze or not.